Scientific Name
Asparagus aethiopicus
Synonyms
Protasparagus aethiopicus, Asparagus densiflorus
Common Names
fern asparagus, sprengeri fern, asparagus fern
Origin
South Africa
Family
Asparagaceae
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a spiny shrub with sprawling to pendent stems with fibrous and tuberous roots.
Leaves are bright green, fern-like, with almost needle-like leaflets of up to eight in a cluster.
Flowers are white to pinkish and small.
Fruit is a bright, round, shiny, red berry. Each fruit contains 1 to a few seeds.
To remove this plant cut out the root at the base of the stems. Roots should be bagged as they will continue to grow even if hung off the ground.
Sources & References
"Weeds - an illustrated botanical guide to weeds of Australia" by B. A. Auld and R. W. Medd
"Plantnet FloraOnline" (2005) http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
Prepared by IEWF, June 2007